Time and distance measuring system



Aug. 25, 1947. A. M. SKELLETT 2,425,245

TIME AND DISTANCE MEASURING SYSTEM I Filed Oct. 9, 1945 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. I /00 10/ RANGE// /04 7 /0 l0802 9 i hi AZIMUTH 5 I lNl/ENfOR FIG 5 AM. SKELLETT A TTORNEY 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 V T E T. N R m 0L T Wa N E amt w M I W 6\.. 62 mo 2% E 93.38 hqfiiifit/ mm v NWT mfifi $1.3? 53:8 $33 1! fitswk 05E Aug, 2%, 194?. A. M. SKELLETT TIME AND DISTANCE MEASURiI IG SYSTEM Filed on. 9, 1943' Aug. 26, 1947. A. M. SKELLETT TIME AND DISTANCE MEASURING SYSTEM Filed Oct. 9, 1943 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 lNl EA/TOR A. M SKELLETT 1947- A. M. SKELLETT 2,426,245

&

TIME AND DISTANCE MEASURING SYSTEM 4 Filed Oct. 9, 1943 6 Sheets -Sheet 4 RADIO RECEIVER GA TE CIRCUIT R-RM REDUCTION 654R 80X REM T IMING C IRCUI TS 'SPEED CONTROL F'ULS/NG cmcuir INVENTOR A. M SHELLEY? BY MA 1 4 ATTORNEY Aug 26, 1947.

v A. M. SKELLETT TIME AND DISTANCE MEASURING SYSTEM Filed Oct. 9, 1943 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 tREB 25: a3

haumb v 33am VIIIJ 8m NE 3k INVENTOR M. SKELLEIT ATTORNEY FIG. /0

A. M. SKELLETT ,TIME AND DISTANCE MEASURING SYSTEM gl llllllll o o 8 O 0 Q 0:

llllll llil lllll IllllllllTlHlllllll abs soa

FIG?

Fil ed Oct. "9, 1943 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR A. M SKELLEU" Patented Aug. 26, 1947 ,1

Albert M. Skellett, Madison, N. .Lassignor to Bell Telephone Laboratories, Incorporated, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application October 9, 1943, Serial No. 505,673

Claims. (Cl. 250-152) This invention relates to systems for measuring time and distance by means of traveling waves, and more particularly to means for exhibiting the results of such measurements on scales or indicators stroboscopically illuminated.

While the invention may be used in many other organizations where time or distance measurements are required, the illustrative embodiments disclosed hereinafter'are of the type known as radar systems, in which an electromagnetic wave is transmitted from a given point to a distant surface or object. and a reflection is received at the first point, the distance of the object or surface being measured by the time required for the wave to travel to the remote point and for the reflection to return.

The stroboscopic type of indicator is designed to replace the cathode-ray type of indicator commonly used in radar systems. The stroboscopic indicator is based on the stroboscopic illumination of moving or rotating scales and dials, the flashes of light being set 011 by the received reflections. The range, azimuth, and elevation readings may appear in numerical form in windows as if the scales on which the numbers are laid out were stationary at the correct values for the reflecting object in question. Two-dimensional field images such as map-like representations in polar coordinates may also be provided like those produced in cathode-ray tubes but of greater brilliance and size. These may or may not employ screens in which the glow persists momentarily after illumination. Automatic switching may be provided so that the apparatus assigns reflections received from a plurality of objects to diflerent windows which give simultaneous readings.

The invention has among its advantages simplicity, increased ruggedness, low voltage operation, increased accuracy.

A further advantage is the low speed of the rotating parts, which need not lutions per minute.

An object of the invention is to reduce personal error in reading the range, azimuth or elevation exceed 1800 revo-' timing circuit which may comprise a simple series of the reflecting object, particularly in the case of an unskilled observer.

principle. The scale moves at high speed past a' fixed index and the illumination of the scale is modulated so as to give a flash of light whenver the correct part'ofthe scale is opposite the index.

case, namely, the appearance of a stationary mark on a stationary scale.

In measuring range by reflected pulses it' has not been found practical to use a scale rotating in synchronism with the outgoing pulses and making one revolution per pulse. The reasons for this are, first, that the speed required of the rotating scale is too high, and second, that it is not possible to synchronize a rotating scale with the outgoing'pulses in some radar systems because the pulses are not emitted at a uniform time rate.

In accordance with the invention, low speed scales may be used and a considerable amount of jitter or irregular spacing of the outgoing pulses may be tolerated.

For the azimuth or elevation scales it is entirely practical to synchronizethe scales with the motion of the antenna. At the relatively slow speeds of .the azimuth and elevation scales the flicker of the flashes may be observable in some cases but this will present no serious difliculty since the overall efiect is that of a stationary dial or scale illuminated with intermittent rather than steady light.

In accordance with the invention, at the instant of sending out the wave impulse, a charging or discharging current is started in a relatively fast combination of a resistor and a condenser, to develop a series of potential values. It is contemplatedthat a considerable number of impulses will be sent out in rapid succession, each impulse starting a new cycle of the fast timing circuit. Provision is made for restoring the timing circuit to a standard initial condition after each cycle.

Meanwhile, a scale-bearing memberis rotated at a convenient constant speed, the scale covering distances or time intervals from zero up to any desired maximum within the limits of the associated structure. At each revolution of the scale, a relatively slow timing circuit is actuated to pass through a, series of potential values commensurate with the potentials developed in the fast timing circuit. A normally blocked vacuum tube is provided in the grid-cathode circuit of which the instantaneous potentials in the fast and slow timing circuits are continually compared. At some one instant during each cycle of the fast timing circuit, these potentials are in the proper relation to unblock the tube. It is arranged that the tube acts as an automatic range gate that remains open for a certain brief. interval of time during which, if a reflected pulse is received, the reflected pulse is enabled to cause a flash lamp to be lighted and illuminate the rotating scale. The scale may be so calibrated that when thus illuminated it shows the true distance or range of the object from which the reflected wave is received.

The effect upon the observer is the same in either go Because of the relatively slow rate of rotation of the scale and the corresponding change of potential in the slow timing circuit, the range second. An object at a, given range will thencause the lamp to dash once during each cycle of the slow timing circuit, or 30 flashes per second, which gives the efiect, due to the persistence of vision, of a steadily illuminated sttionary scale which is easily read against a fixed index mark. Thus the scale continuously exhibits the range of the object as long as the reflected pulses are received. v

The system of the invention may be utilized in many embodiments, a number of which are illus- The simple one-dimensional or range indicating system may trated and described hereinafter.

be combined with azimuth and elevation indicating equipment with additional scales stroboscopically illuminated to exhibit the azimuth and elevation of the object. Provision is made for expanding the range scale to permit greater precision of measurement at any range. Range readings of two or more objects may be exhibited simultaneously on a single scale or on separate scales and where a single approximate scale is used to exhibit readings on a plurality of objects, manual gates may be provided for selecting individual objects for more accurate readings on separate scales. There is also disclosed an automatic register for indicating the ranges of two or more objects on separate dials without the necessity for employing a manual range gate.

In connection with the provision for expanding the range scale to permit greater precision of measurement at any range, there is disclosed herein a scale changing system which is claimed in my copending application Serial No. 627,491, filed November 8, 1945, and assigned to the same assignee as the present application.

The present application discloses a manual range gate which is claimed in my copending application Serial No. 627,493, filed November 8, 1945, and assigned to the same assignee as the present application.

The automatic register disclosed herein for indicating on separate dials the ranges of two or more objects without. the necessity for employing a manual range gate, is claimed in my copending application Serial No. 627,492, filed November 8,

1945, and assigned-to the same assignee as the present application.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is an elevational view of the indicator Y en a es '9, constitute a schematic diagram of an automatic register system for exhibiting the ranges of two or more objects simultaneously on separate dials; and

Fig. 10 is an elevational view of the dials associated with the system of Figs. 7 and 8.

One-dimensional indicating system One embodiment illustrative of the invention is shown in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive. This embodiment is restricted to measurement of a single dimension, namely, the range. In a class A representation, horizontal extensions indicate range or distance, and a'vertical line or mark indicates directly, for example in yards. There is also provided a single range dial irom which may be obtained a more accurate reading of the rangeof sired to register on the range dial, may be readily selected. The object selected may be changed. for another whenever desired by repeated manipulation of the range gate. An expanded scale is provided whereby the precision of the range measurement indicated by the range dial may be increased by a predetermined factor when desired, a factor of ten being preferred. The range dial and the class A range indicator comprise rotating elements each of which is stroboscopically illuminated only at those instants when it presents a. correct range reading.

Fig. 1 shows the external appearance of the device as it may be arranged for the convenience of an operator. A portion of the indicator panel is shown at I00 and is provided with windows I M and I02 which may have suitable frames or bezels. Behind the window IN is mounted a range dial comprising a, drum I03, preferably translucent, upon which are placed indications such as a nu-' merical scale of ranges. Provision is made for ropears within the window ml at a stationary index I04 that may be placed before the dial I03 to fix the exact point of reading. Behind the window panel in a one-dimensional indicating system Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram of the electrical and mechanical features of the system associated with the panel of Fig. 5;

Figs. '7 and 8, when arranged as shown in Fig.

I02 is provided a rotating drum I05 with a helical mark which is made to appear, when stroboscopically illuminated, as a vertical or nearly vertical line segment showing through the'window. A stationary scale I06 is provided for reading the posidicate the ranges of objects at different distances.-

An arbitrarily movable line IIO, which may be distinguished from the lines I01 to I09, inclusive,

. in any suitable way as for example by a different color of illumination, may be provided under manual control of a knob III to aid in selecting one of the distant objects the range of which is to be indicated more precisely by the reading of the dial I03. Another knob H2 may be provided to control an expanded scale and the associated indicationof a. separate dial II 3 -mounted next to A man- 5 tated manually by means of the knob H2 and is illuminated together with the dial I03 by the stroboscopic light source. The mechanism associated with the panel I will be described hereinafter with reference to Figs. 2, 3 and 4..

The manner in which the system is manipulated by the operator may be described with reference to Fig. 1, it being assumed that the internal mechanism is operating and has been properly adjusted. First, it will be appreciated that the external appearance of any stroboscopically- I02 is assumed to be viewed with the drum I revolving and stroboscopically illuminated. The operator sees in the window I02 the marks or lines I01 to H0, inclusive, as shown in Fig, 1. The dial I03 is shown as if stationary and under steady illumination. As this dial actually is revolving along with the drum I05 at a rapid rate it would appear blurred and unreadable unless the movable range mark IIO were placed in coincidence with one of the lines I01 to I09, inclusive, and the knob II2 were properly set as explained hereinafter. In using the system, the operator, observing the lines I01 to I09, inclusive, decides which one of the objects represented by these lines'is of special interest and he turns the' knob III tomove the mark I I0 to coincide with the desired line and adjusts the knob II2 properly as explained hereinafter. The dials I03 and H3 are then stroboscopically illuminated to show the range of the selected object legibly and apparently stationary opposite the index I04. Another object may be thereafter selected by turning the knob III to bring the mark H0 in coincidence with the second selected line and by readjusting the knob I I2 if need be, when the stroboscopic illumination of the dials I03 and H3 will change to display the range of the second object. Within the window I0 I, an illustrative range reading is shown on the expanded scale, indicating an object at a range of 83,500 yards. This reading could be observed by bringing the mark I I0 to coincide with the line I09. To. dispense with th expanded scale and use what is commonly called the main scale, the knob II2 may be turned until a numeral 0 appears on the' dial H3 and 'a step further tooperate a switching mechanism which may be mechanically coupled to the knob I I2 to switch over the electric circuit from a condition termed the expanded scale condition to one termed the main scale con-" dition as hereinafter described.

Figs. 2 and 3 show the mechanism and circuit behind and associated with the panel I00 of the device shown in Fig. 1.

In Fig. 2 a pulsing circuit 200 is shown connected both to an oscillator 20I, preferably of ultra-high frequency, and a square wave generator tube 202 which with connected elements will be referred to as the start-stop'circuit. The oscillator 20I is connected to a suitable radiating system such as a dipole antenna 203 mounted at the focus of a paraboloidal projector 204. The output of the start-stop circuit is connected to the grid circuit of a vacuum tube 205 in the anode circuit of which is connected a timing resistor 206 and condenser 201. The condenser 201 is also connected in the input circuit of a square wave generator tube 208, which serves as a narrow automatic range gate. For the reception of electromagnetic waves there may be provided adirectionally selective receiving system compris ng a.

dipole antenna 209 mounted at the focus of a'paraboloidal reflector 2 I0. The antenna 209 is connected to the input of a radio receiver 2| I the output of which is combined with the output of the tube 208 in the input circuit of amplifying tube In Fig.3 suitable power terminals 300 are shown connected to a motor 30I to the shaft of which are keyed the dial I03, the drum I05 and a pair of rotary switches or commutators 302 and303. The commutator 302 is connected with a source 304 of direct current and a timing resistor 305 and either one of two condensers 306- and 301. The dial I03 may be translucent and may have mounted within it a flash lamp 308, which may be a neon lamp. The drum I05 may beopaque except for a helical slot- 309 which either maybe open or may have a filling of atranslucent materia1-. Within the drum I05 may be mounted flash lamps 3I0'and. 3II, preferably-giving different colors of illumination such as a neon lamp 3I0 and an argon lamp 3| I.

' The broad principle of operation and the salient features of the structure of Figs. 1 to 3; inclusive, will first be briefly given before presenting a more detailed description. The power supplied to the terminals 300 may be conveniently in the form of 60-cycle alternating current to drive a common type of motor at a speed of approximately 1800 revolutions per minute, that is about thirty revolutions per second. This particular speed is not essential but has been found both suitable and convenient. The motor 30I drives the dial I03,

. the drum I05 and the commutators 302 and 303 directly at this speed. At a preferably more rapid rate, say 200 to 1,000 or more times. per second, the pulsing circuit 200 briefly energizes the radio transmitter 20I to deliver a short train of waves to the antenna 203, which train is projected as a pulse of electromagnetic waves from the projector 204. Simultaneously with the energization of the radio transmitter, the pulsing circuit energizes the tube 202 to generate a square-topped pulse used to block the tube 205 and start a charging current in the resistor 206 and condenser 201. The tube 205 and associated timing elements will be hereinafter referred to as the fast timing circuit. The time constant of the circuit is preferably so predesigned that the potential of the condenser 201 will pass through a suitable range of values at a substantially linear time rate during the brief time required for an electromagnetic pulse to travel from the projector 204 to the most distant object the range of which is to be measured and to return to the reflector 2 I0. The commutator 302 is arranged to connect the battery 304 to the other timing circuit comprising the resistor 305 and the condenser 300 to charge the condenser 306 at a rate relatively slow compared with the condenser 201 to cover a similar suitable range of potentials on the condenser 306 during a single revolution of the commutator. This latter timing circuit will hereinafter be referred to as the slow timing circuit. Due to the relatively slow rate of revolution of the mechanical system, it is permissible to facfiitate the description by assuming for the time being that thedial I03and drum I05 remain stationary during the time between two pulses of the pulsing circuit 200. It is also permissible at this point in the description to assume that the potential of the condenser 306 remains constant during the interval between two pulses. Provision ismade to compare the potential oi? the condenser 306 and the potential of the condenser 201 in the grid-cathode circuit of the tube 208. At some instant during the period between successive pulses the potentials of the condensers 306 and 201 will be of the proper relation to each other to unblock the .tube 208 and thereby initiate a square-topped pulse therein. The circuit of the tube 208 is preferably so designed that the square-topped pulse produced radio receiver 2 during one of the brief inter- I vals when the tube 242 is sensitized. The scale on the dial I03 is so calibrated that when the lamp 308 flashes the correct range of the distant object from which the reflected pulse was received is shown within the window IOI opposite the stationary index I04. The stationary scale I ad- .jacent the frame I02 is so calibrated also that when the lamp 3I0 flashes the portion of the slot 308 which is illuminated and shows through the window I02 is opposite the same range reading on the scale I06 as is simultaneously appearing on the dial I03.

The illumination of the lamp 308 is preferably turther restricted under the control of themanual range gate so that the dial I03 will not be illuminated-unless the range of the distant object and the setting of the manual range gate agree.

The lamp 3I0 on the other hand is preferably not under the control'of the range gate so that it may flash whenever the range of a distant object agrees with the position of the slot 308 with respect to the scale I06. The lamp 3 is preferably entirely independent of the reflected pulses and of the action of the tube 2I2 and may be ,con-

tials ofthe condensers 201 and 308 now occurs incoming reflected pulse from a somewhat more distant object, the range of which corresponds tothe new reading of the dial I03 and drum I05. Accordingly, in each succeeding cycle of the pulsing circuit 200 the lamp control circuits will be energized at the particular epoch which corre-' sponds to the range reading simultaneously presented at the windows by the dial I03 and the drum I05. During each revolution of the mechanical system the lamp control circuits will have been briefly energized successively at a succession of range readings distributed over the total range of the apparatus. When the range reading corresponds to the range of an object the reflected pulses from thatobject will be enabled to flash the lamps at least once during the revoluvide 30 flashes per second a substantially flickerless scale reading is obtained.

In order that no pulses be lost due to being returned from objects having ranges that lie between the successive range readings for which the lamp control circuits are energized, the auton'iatic range gate should be open each time for a suiflcient interval to admit all returning pulses from objects in a zone of a certain width. The

ratio of the frequencies'of the fast and slow timing circuits determines the width of the zone to be included by the range gate, or, as it may be more briefly termed, the width of the range gate. This should be as wide as the difference in the successive range readings for which the circuits are energized to insure that all reflected pulses will operate the flash lamp. For example, with a, motor speed of 30 revolutions per second and a pulsing rateof 2000 pulses per second, the range gate should have a width of about. 1%

.per cent of the maximum range, or 1500 yards in 100,000 yards. For an expanded scale of ten times the sensitivity of the main scale, the range gate width in this example may be reduced to one-tenth or 150 yards. The actual readings may be more accurate than the frequency ratio indicates, due to the fact that unless the frequencies are exactly commensurate succeeding readings on the same range will vary slightly andthe eye will naturally read the average of the values presented by the scale.

The lamp 3I0 will flash once per revolution for each received pulse and when several pulses.are received from objects at diflerent ranges the lamp 3I0 will flash when the slot 308 is opposite each of a number of diiferent readings on the scale I06 producing a plurality-of lines such as 7 I01 to I08, inclusive. The commutator 303 will flash the argon lamp 3 once for every revolution of the drum I05 at a particular angular position which may be controlled by means of the knob III to produce an arbitrarily movable mark IIO of a different color from the lines I01 to I08, inclusive. By moving the mark IIO to coincide with one of the lines such as I01 to I09, inclusive, the lamp 308 will be made to flash to show a precise reading of'the range corresponding to the particular line selected by the operator.

The purpose of the expanded scale is to cover a restricted group of ranges with a more precise balance of voltages in the input of the tube 208 as well as with a narrower range gate. The particular portion of the scale I06 to be covered by the expanded scale is indicated by the dial II3 which' places an additional digit in front of the reading of the scale I03 by means of a mechanism which will be more fully described hereinafter.

The circuits shown in Fig. 2 will now be described in somewhat greater detail.

Start-stop circuit resistor 223 as well as directly to the anode 220 J and through a grid load resistor 224 to the grid 2I8. The cathodes 2I5 and 2I8 may be connected to ground through cathode resistors 225 tion. As the speed of rotation is suflicient toproand 228. The pulsing circuit 200 may be conconnection of the grid 2l9 with the positive terminal of the supply source 22 t through the resistor 224. The anode-cathode current of the triode 2 l4 flowing through the properly proportioned re-'- sistor 225 provides a blocking potential upon the grid 2i6 which renders the triode 2l3 normally non-conducting. The connection of the grid 219 to the positive terminal of the source 22l through the resistor 224 renders the grid potential posi-,

tive with the result that grid current flows through the triode 2! and adds to the biasing current in the resistor 225. The triode 2l3 has substantially the full supply voltage impressed across between its anode and cathode although, as aforementioned, anode current is blocked by the negative potential impressed upon the grid 2I6 by the current flowing in the resistor 225. This condition of the start-stop circuit is a stable one but.

it may be disturbed by the receipt of a pulse from the circuit 200.

The pulsing circuit 200 is preferably arranged to impress a pulse upon the grid resistor 228 through the blocking condenser 221, the pulse being oi. such polarity as to render the grid 2l6 more positive with respect to the cathode 2l5. T e pulse is preferably of suflicientstrength to overcome the negative bias impressed upon the grid 2i6 by the resistor 225, thereby rendering the triode 2l3 conductive. The fiow of current from the source 22! through the resistor 223 and the anode-cathode circuit of the triode 2l3 produces a drop in the potential of the anode 2| 1. As a result, the charged condenser 229 begins to discharge through. the resistor 224 and at the same time the condenser 229 effectively places a negative bias upon the grid 2l9, thereby causing the triode 2| 4 to cut oil? its own anode-cathode current. The cessation of the current in the triode 2l4 removes some of the negative bias from the grid 2l5 and enables the supply source 22l to maintain the anode-cathode current in the triode 2l3 even though meanwhile the activating pulse from the circuit 200 may have ceased. The condenser 229 continues to discharge through the resistor 224 and when sufliciently discharged, the triode 2| 4 again becomes conductive and its anode-cathode current restores the negative bias in the resistor 225 to cut off the anode-cathode triode 214 is normally conducting because of the I 10 pressor grid 234 connected to the cathode, and an anode 235. The cathode 23! may be grounded and the anode 235 may be connected to the positive terminal of the source 22| through the resistor 206.

In the operation ofthe fast timing circuit, the grid 232 normally maintains the tube 205 in a conducting condition due to the potential drop across the resistors 225 and 226 being balanced with respect to the grid 232 by a charge on the condenser 230. When the potential across the resistors 225 and 226 falls during the operation of the start-stop circuit, this drop in potential transmitted through the condenser 2'30 impresses a negative potential upon the grid 232, thereby blocking the tube 205 and permitting charging current to flow to the condenser 201 through the resistor 206. At the end of the square-topped current in the triode 2l3, thereby returning the start-stopcircuit to the original stable condition. The timerequired for the cycle of operations in the start-stop circuit is determined mainly by the capacitance of the condenser 229 and the resistance of theresistor 224. The cycle may be repeated by supplying successive pulses to the grid" Fast timing circuit The fast timing. circuit comprises the vacuum tube, 205, the resistor 206 and the condenser'201. The tube may be a pentode having a cathode 231, a control grid 232, a screen grid 233, a suppulse when the potential difference across the resistors 225 and 226 is restored, the grid 232 returns to substantially ground potential, rendering the tube 205 conducting and permitting rapid discharge of the condenser 201 through the tube 205.

Automatic range gate The automatic range gate comprises the square wave generator 208 and associated circuits. The

tube 208 may contain, in" a single envelope, if desired, two triodes 236 and 231, the triode 238 including a cathode 238, a control grid 239 and an anode 240 and the triode 231 including a cathode 24!, a control grid 242 and an anode 243. The cathode 24! may be directly grounded and the cathode 238 may be connected to ground through a coupling condenser 244. The anodes 240 and 243 may be connected to the positive of a switch 252.

In the operation of the automatic range gate, the potential of the condenser 201 is continuously compared with the potential ofa selected one of the condensers 308and 301 in the grid-cathode circuit of thetriode 236. The potentialof the condenser 201 acts by virtue of direct connection in the grid-cathode circuit, while the potential of condenser 1306 or 301 is impressed upon the cathode 238. The potential of the cathode 238 is thus changing at a slow rate and the potential of the grid 239 is changing at the fast rate. At the start 'of each fast cycle the grid potential is more negative with respect to that of the cathode 238 than the cut-ofi voltage of the triode and as it rises this cut-01f potential is reached and the triode 236 starts to conduct. Before this critical potential relation is reached-the triode 231 is conducting due to the grid 242 being connected to the cathode 24I through one of the resistors 250 and 25l, and the coupling condenser 241 contains a charge of substantially the full voltage of the source 22l. When the triode 236 becomes conducting, its anode potential falls due to the flow of current in the resistor 245, and

this" potential drop is impressed on grid 242- through condenser 241, thereby immediately blocking the triode 231. The condenser 241 rapidly discharges through the resistor 250 or 25l,

removing after a definite interval the blocking potential from the grid 242 and permitting current to flow again. It will be noted that while the triode 1281 was blocked, the coupling condenser 248 was being charged through the resistor 248, 248 and the condenser 201. When the-triode 281 has resumed conductivity, the charge on the condenser 248 is effectively thrown across between the grid 288 and the cathode 288 to form a blocking potential to aid in restoring the triode 288 to the normal condition. The generator 208 thus produces a square-topped pulse preferably of brief duration which is impressed upon the input circuit of the flashing tube 2|2. During the normal blocked condition of the triode 288, the triode 281 is conductive and hence the anode 248 may be arranged to be very little above the potential of the cathode 24|'. During the briei. period of blocking in the triode 281, the anode 248 assumes substantially the full battery potential. The potential variation of the anode 248 thus constitutes a narrow squarepp d w ve or potential. The duration of the narrow pulse may be varied .by means of the switch 252 to select one or the other of the resistors 250 and 25| through which to discharge the condenser 241.

Flashing circuit The flashing circuit comprises the tube 2 2 and associated elements. The square-topped wave from the generator 208 is impressed upon the flashing circuit through a coupling condenser 258. The flashing tube 2|2 may contain, in a single envelope, if desired, two triodes 254 and 255, the triode 254 including a cathode 258, a grid 251 and an anode 258 and the triode 255 including a cathode 258, a 8rid280 and an anode 28l. The ungrounded side of the radio receiver 2 may be connected to the grid 251 through a coupling condenser 282 and the output or the automatic range gate may be connected into the gridcathode circuit of the triode 254 by means of the coupling condenser 258. The tube 2|2 comprises two stages of amplification. Normally th grid 251 is biased more negative than its cut-ofi' potential so that echoes from the radio receiver cannot get through to operate the flashing lamps 808 and 8l0. When the range gate is impressed on this grid it brings its potential to cut-oi! and the echoes, which are of positive potential can then get through to triode 255 where they are amplified for use in triggering ofl th flash tubes 808 and "0. Thus the tube 2|2 is operated when a signal is received by the radio receiver 2| l provided at the same time the triode 254 is unblocked by the actionoi' the tube 208.

Flash 11217298 pairs of control electrodes 8|8, 8|8 and 820, 82].

Ground connection is supplied over a lead 822 in a permanent connection to the control electrode 8" of the tube -8|0 so that this tube will flash whenever an exciting potential is impressed upon its second control electrode 8|9. Ground connection is supplied to the control electrodes 8|8 12 and 820 of thetubes 808 and 8, respectively, through a lead 828, a brush 824, a conductive band 825 of the commutator 808, a brush 828 to ground at 821 only during the passage. of the brush 824 over the'projection 828 01' the band 825. At all other times the brush 824 connects the electrodes 8 I 8 and 820 through another brush 848 to a disabling positive potential suchr asis supplied by a battery 850. The second control electrodes'8l1 and N8 of the tubes 808 and 8l0, respectively, are connected through a lead 828 to a junction point 285 in the output circuit of the flashing tube 2|2. These tubes 808 and 8|8 receive over the lead 828 a flashing voltage upon receipt of a reflected radio wave by the system at a time when the automatic range gate is open. The control electrode 82| or the tube 8| l is permanently connected to the positiv terminal of a source 880 illustrated as'a battery. The-battery 880 becomes effective to flash the tube 8|l whenever the ground connection is applied to the other control electrode 82|| by the commutatdr 808.:

In the operation or the tubes m, :11 that. it will be evident from the foregoing description of the connections that the tube 8 will be operated once during each revolution of the commutator 808 when the brush 824 crosses the projecting segment 828. provided a radio impulse is received while the automaticrange gate and the manual range gate are both set for substantially the correct range. The tube 8") will operate independently of the manual range gate whenever a radio impulse is received during the open condition of the automatic range gate. Each flash of the lamps discharges the condenser 288 which is then recharged at a definite rate through the resistor The slow timing circuit comprises thesource 800, the motor the commutator 802, the potential source 804, the timing resistor 805 and the timing condensers 808 and .881. The source 804 is connected across a pair of serially connected potentiometers 88| and 882. Assuming the potentiometers 882 and 88| to be set each on step 8 as illustrated, a circuit is formed through a flexible lead 888 to the resistor 805, through a brush 884 on the commutator 802 to another brush 885 and then through a lead 888, to one of the condensers 888 and 801' and then through a lead 881 and a flexible lead 888 to step 8 of the potentiometer 88| and thence to ground. The commutator 802 comprises two conductive bands 888 and 840. The brush 884 runs continually on the band 840 and a brush 8 on the band 888. The brush 885 runs upon the band 840 except during a certain portion of each revolution when thebrush 885 rests upona projection 842 which is an integral part of the band 888.. While the brush 885 rests upon the projection 842, the condenser 888 or 801 is short-circuited. When, during the revolution of the commutator 802, the projection 842 moves away from the brush 885, the condenser 808 or 801 begins to charge through the resistor 805. The chargingof the condenser continues at a substantially uniform rate until the projection 842 is again brought under the brush 885 when the condenser is quickly discharged and .made ready for a repetition of the charging cycle.

The potentiometers 88| and 882 are preferably so arranged that the effective charging voltage The tube 308- will flash the variable contacts of the potentiometers.

Rotating mechanical system The 'commutators 302 and 303 are preferably keyed to the shaft of themotor 30I; The dial I03 and the drum I05 are preferably fixedly attached to the shaft by suitable means such as spider structures 342 and 343, respectively. -The dial H3 is preferably mounted freely on the shaft and may be geared to the knob H2 in known manner as, for example, by means of a suitable combination of racks and pinions. The brush 324 is preferably mounted on a spider structure 344 which rides ,freely on the shaft and is geared to the-knob III through another suitable combination of racks and pinions. The remaining brushes are stationary and may bev supported in any suitable manner. The lamp 308 may be mounted inside the dial I03 and the lamps 3I0' and 3 inside the drum I05. The

necessary leads to the lamps may be introduced 14 tion beyond zero, at which position there is no number showing at the window I0 I. The switches 252 and a, switch 348 controlling the selection of the condensers 306 and 301 are preferably mechanically coupled toone of the potentiometer arms .345 or 346 in such a manner that the switches 252. and 340 are both operated whenever the arm 345 passes from the zero position to the M position or vice versa. For the main scale,-the switches 252 and 348 are operated into the M- position bringing the resistor 25I and condenser 301 into circuit for the main scale and the resistor 250 and-condenser 306 for the expanded scale. In operation with the main scale, one terminal of the condenser 301 is grounded so that the potential impressed upon the condenser 244 by the slow timing circuit is simply the potential of the condenser 301., The resistor I is proportioned togive the desired width tothe automatic range a gate. v The reading in the window. IOI' is shown by the number appearing on the dial I03.

through the space between the dial I03 and p the drum I05.

Angular displacement of the rotating parts In setting the commutators 302 and 303 and the dial I03 and drum I05 on the shaft, the'following considerations should be observed as to the relative angular positions of these elements. The dial I03, in a system intended to measure ranges up to 100,000 yards will preferably have a scale reading from 0 to 100,000 occupying a major portion of the periphery of the dial. A blank segment, shown in Fig. 3 for clarity as one-sixth of the complete circle is reserved to cover the interval of time required for the discharge of the slow timing circuit but this interval may be shortened considerably in prac-- the. The helical mark 309 occupies the same proportional part of a complete circumference of the drum I05 as the numerical scale occupies in the complete circumference of the dial I03. The dial I03 and drum I05 are to be set in such a relative angular position that the reading of the dial I03 against the index I04 at the window IN is identical with the reading of the mark 300 against the scale I06 at the window I02. The angular relation between the commutator 302 and the brush 335, shouldvthenthen be such that when the trailing edge of the segment 342 of the commutator leaves the brush 335, the dial I03 registers zero against the index I04. The angular position of the commutator 303 on the shaft may be determined arbitrarily.

M ain scale Expanded scale the operator, the knob H2 is turned to bring the first digit of the -range of the selected line into view in the window IOI. For example if the line I00-is chosen (reading approximately 83,000 yards on the scale I06) the digit 8 is brought into view in the window IOI, as shown in Fig. 1. This operation moves the potentiometer arms 345 and 346 to the position 8 on the potentiometers 33I -and 332, as illustrated in Fig. 3. It also operates the switches 252 and 348 to the 0-9 position, bringing into circuit the resistor 250 and the condenser 306. The condenser 306 is now in series with a potential provided between ground and position 8 of the potentiometer 33I and this po-' tential is added on to the potential of the convided adjacent to the zero position for use when 1 operating with the main scale and isdirectly connected electrically in the potentiometer with the adjacent position 0. Potentiometer arms 345 and 346 for the respective potentiometers 33I and 332 are provided and may be insulatingly attached to abar 341 in the rack and pinion system operated by the knob II2. scalethe knob H2 is rotated to bring the arms 345 and 346 on to the respective M positions of the potentiometers. This operation results in a rotation of the dial II3 through zero to one Desidenser 306 in the condenser 244 for comparison with the potential in the fast timing circuit. The potential impressed upon the slow timing circuit is the same regardless of the position of the potentiometers, when, as is preferable, the potential between each pair of corresponding positions on the two potentiometers is the same. The resistor 250 is preferably designed to reduce the width of the automatic range gate to onetenth the value used with the main scale. The condenser 306 is preferably made ten times the capacity of the condenser 301 so that during the period of a single revolution the condenser 306 will acquire a potential only one-tenth as great as that attained by the condenser 301 when using the main scale. The potential difference between two adjacent positions of the potentiometers is thus spread out by means .of the condenser 306 tooccupya complete cycle of the slow timing circuit. The reading in the window IOI is comprised by the. reading of the dial I03 prefixed by the digit'exhibited by the dial II3. I

In the system as illustrated, switching over to the expanded scale expands the range covered by the drum I05 and the images in the long window I02. The scale I06 will then represent hundreds of yards instead of thousands as for the main scale and as the knob I I2 is turned the por- In using the main tion of the total range covered by the scale I06 will be moved along the total range along with the indication of the dial I I3.

Two-dimensional indicating system Another embodiment illustrative of the inven- 15 tion is shown in Figs. 5 and 6. Two dimensions, range and azimuth, are displayed in this system by a stroboscopic plane position indicator. The

position of several objects may be shown simultaprovided for use with the range dial and a synchronizing arrangement is included for bringing the azimuth indication into correct angular relationship with an associated rotating antenna system.

Fig. 5 shows the external appearance of the front panel with a portion broken away to show some of the mechanism within. The panel 500 includes a translucent circular area 50i upon which is marked a polar diagram of a field in which observations are to be made. Radial lines, such as 502, are shown at angular intervals oi 30 degrees, and a plurality of concentric circular marks such as 503 provide a scale of ranges at intervals of 1000 yards as shown in Fig. 5. Either finer or coarser scales may, of course, be used as described. Centrally located behind the'translucent circular area 50i is a rotatable disc 504 in which is cut a spiral groove 505. Behind and concentric with the disc 504 is another disc 6|5 (Fig. 6) also rotatable and having a radial slot 506. The intersection of the slots 505 and 506 defines an aperture which may be stroboscopically illuminated to produce a spot at any desired position on the indicators, as, for example, at 501 and 508. Windows 506 and 5i are provided through which respectively an azimuth scale may be observed against an index 5l2 and a range scale 5! 3 against an index 5. A rotatable knob 5l'5 bearing a scale of angles is provided in conjunction with a fixed index 5l6 to operate a manual azimuth gate. A similar knob 5H bearing a scale of ranges is provided in conjunction with a fixed index 5! for operating a manual range gate. Similar to the knob 5H and index 5I0 are a knob 5l6 and index 620 for operating an expanded scale. A toggle switch handle 52l may be provided for selecting the main scale or the expanded scale according to need. The antenna synchronizer may be controlled by means of a toggle switch handle 522 and a pair of pushbuttons523 and 524. Y

The complete system of the plane position indicator is shown schematically in Fig. 6. In this figure a motor 600 energized by a suitable power supply at terminals 601 and preferably having a speed control means 602 is arranged to drive a vertical shaft 606 through a reduction gear box 604, if required. The shaft 603 carries with it in a single azimuthal plane a transmitting reflector 605 and a receiving reflector 606 for electromagnetic waves. suitable transmitting antenna such as a dipole 601 preferably mounted at the focus of the re- The reflector 605'contain a flector and connected through slip rings 608 and 606 with'a radio transmitter H0. The reflector lucent azimuth dial 5.

V i 16 ically in Fig. 6. The tated on a common axis at different speeds by a motor 6I6 actuated by a suitable power source at terminals 6" and preferably controlled by a speed control means M6. The disc 504 may be keyed to the shaft 6 l 6 of. the motor 6 l6. The disc H5 is rotated by a shaft 6i6 through a reduction gear box 620 preferably at the same speed as the shaft 603. A third shaft MI is also driven by the motor 6I6 through the reduction gear box 620 preferably at a speed which is equal to the difference between the speeds of the shafts M0 and M6 for a reason which will appear hereinafter. The shaft M6, in addition to driving the disc 6|5, rotates a commutator 622 and the transmounted inside the translucent range dial 5|! and the lamps 621 and 628 within the azimuth dial 5i I.

The radio transmitter M0 is under the control of a pulsing circuit 626 which also controls the fast timing portion of a set of timing circuits 630, similar to the circuits shown in detail in- Figs. 2 and 3. The slow timing circuit is controlled by the commutator 623 and in conjunction with the fast timing circuit and the received pulses from radio receiver 63i controls the automatic gate circuit 6. The latter in turn controls the flashing of the lamp 625 and provides control signals for the lamps 626 and 621. The lamp 626 .is under the further control of a manually movable. brush 632 on the commutator 624. The lamp 621 is likewise under control of a manually movable brush 663 on the commutator 622. Suitable means such as a commutator 664 and a slip ring 635 are provided for furnishing a connection from ground at 636 over a lead 661 to the lamp 626 to control the flashing of the lamp when a switch 666 is closed. The commutator 634 has'a narrow segment 669 which provides the only conductive connection .to the shaft and slip ring 635, the remaining segment 6 consisting of insulation. A brush 640 bears upon the commutator 664 and by suitable arrangement ofthe angular position of the segment 636 with respect to the plane of the reflectors 605 and 006 a ground connection is made when the plane of the reflectors is in the true north and south direction or, if desired, in the' direction of some 'by means of the manual range gate knob 6".

The switch 666 in the synchronizing system is manually operated by means of the switch handle 522. For use in synchronizing, the speed control 602 of the antenna rotating system may be controlled by the push-button 523 and the speed control N6 of the indicating arrangement may be controlled by the push-button 524.

In the operation of the two-dimensional indicating system of Figs. 5 and 6, with the motors running at the proper speeds, and the other mechanisms properly adjusted, the shaft 606 rodiscs 504 and H5 are ro- The shaft 62l rotates 17 tates at a suitable speed, for example, 18 revolutions per minute, causing the reflectors 505 and 608 to scan the horizon at the selected rate which, in the example shown, is one revolution in approximately three seconds. The pulsing circuit 529 may operate at a suitable rate such as.200 to 1000 or more times'per second, each time actuating the radio transmitter M to send out a brief train of waves from the antenna 601 and reflector 605.. The transmitted pulse travels out mainly in the direction in which the reflector 605 is pointing and upon striking any reflecting object, a reflected wave or echo returns to the reflector 606 and receiving antenna 6 to produce a signal in the radio receiver 63!. At the instant of sending and receiving a pulse, the radial slot 505 in the disc MS has a certain angular position relative to the polar diagram 50! which identifies the direction in which the reflectors are pointed. Simultaneously with the energization of the radio transmitter 610, the pulsing circuit 629 actuates the timing circuit 630 and automatic gate circuit H. Thecircuits operate in the same manner as the timing system of the one-dimensional indicating system of Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, the functions being performed by a start-stop circuit, a fast timing circuit, a slow timing circuit, an automatic range gate and a flashing circuit, allsubstantially as previously described. The pulse from the circuit 629 actuates the start-stop circuit which initiates the timing cycle of the fast timing circuit. Meanwhile the slow timing circuit which is connected to the commutator 23 and includes elements in the box '630, is producing a certain potential. When the potential of the fast timing circuit bears the proper relation to the potential of the slow timing circuit, the automatic gate circuit 614 is sensitized for a brief interval of time. If the range of the object from which the echo is received corresponds to the range for which the automatic gate circuit has been sensitized, an impulse from the radio receiver 63! is relayed by the automatic gate circuit 6 l 4 to sensitize the flashing circuit. The operation of the flashing circuit flashes the lamp 625 to illuminate the intersection of the radial slot 506 and the spiral slot 505. The flashing of the lamps 626 and 621 which are also controlled by the automatic gate circuit is further controlled by the manual gates. The relative speed of the shafts 6l8 and 152! may be so adjusted that when the lamp 625 flashes, the proper range will be indicated by the intersection of the radial slot 506 and the spiral slot 505. As the range indication varies with the relative speed of the disc 500 compared to that of the disc H5, if the discs rotate in the same direction it is necessary to adjust the speeds so that the shaft -62! runs at the difference between the speeds of the two discs in order that the same indicator circuit may be used-on both the range dial 5l3 and the plane position indicator. If the discs 504 and H5 rotate in opposite directions, then the speed of the shaft 62| should be the sum of the speeds of the two discs for the same reason. When these speed relationships are observed, the lamps 625 and 625 when flashed simultaneously will indicate the same range on the plane position indicator and range dial 5l3 at any azimuth.

The range dial 5l3 and the plane position indicovers all ranges and every azimuth position. Suitable adjustment of the width of the automatic range gate is assumed as explained in relation to the one-dimensional system. The lamp 525 may flash at one orimore ranges at the same or difi'erent azimuth. Each flash produces an illuminated spot such as 501 and 508.

The operator may select any one of the spot indications for more accurate reading. The procedure is as follows: The operator reads from the.

polar diagram 50I the approximate azimuth and range of the spot in question. He then adjusts the azimuth knob 5I-5 to bring the approximate azimuth of the spot opposite the index 516. He also adjusts the range knob 5|! to bring the approximate range opposite the index 5I8. The proper setting of the azimuth knob '5l'5 causes the rotation of the brush 633 to an angular position such that the brush makes contact with the grounded segment of the commutator 622 at the instant when the azimuth dial 5 registers approximately the azimuth for which the knob 5| 5 is set. Likewise the knob 5!! causes the brush 532 to make contact with the grounded segment of commutator 624 when the range dial 5 is t approximately the range of the spot in question. The grounding of the commutator brushes 632 and 533 completes the sensitizing of the lamps 6'28 and 621 so that they will be flashed by the same impulse from the receiver '63! which flashes the lamp 625 to produce the spot in question. The reading of the scale 5 against the index 5 l2 when the lamp 621 flashes is an accurate indication of the azimuth of the object under observation. Likewise the reading 'of the scale 513 against the index 514 when the lamp 625 flashes is an accurate indication of the range of the object. i

To use the expanded scale the knob 5l9 is set to indicate the first digit of the range against the index 520 and the switch handle 52! is thrown to the on position. The indication in the range -dial then changes to show a more accurate reading of the range, the first digit of the range now being that to which the knob 5l-9 has been set. The following digits in the range are shown by the reading of the dial 5l3 against the index 5M.

To adjust the zero azimuth indication of the system, the azimuth gate is set at zero and the switch handle 522 is thrown to the on position, thereby closing the switch 538. The lamp 628 behind the dial 5 then flashes each time the reflectors pass through .the plane of zero azimuth. If the shafts 503 and M9 are operating at different speeds or are otherwise out of phase, the dial 5 will not indicate zero. In this case, the speed controls 602 and M8 may be actuated by pressing the buttons 523and 524 to bring the shafts into synchronism and proper phase relation. Correct adjustment is indicated by a steady reading of zero 'on the dial 5| l.

Automatic register for two or more obiects under observation Figs. 7 to 10, inclusive, show an automatic register system for separating echo pulses from two or more objects and, displaying an accurate reading on each by means of a separate dial.

Referring to the figures, a pulsing ircuit 100 is connected to a radio transmitter FBI which is in turn connected to a transmitting antenna I02 associated with a transmitting reflector 103. The

pulsing circuit is also connected to a timing system comprising a start-stop tube 10B, a trigger tube 105, and an automatic gate tube which The output of the tube H is connected to the.

input of a tube III in the output of which is a rectifier "2 connected back through a. lead "3 to the grid circuit of the left-hand triode in tube H0. The output of the tube 1 I 0 is also connected,

by a lead I22 to the input of a flashing tube 'IIO once besides limiting the amplifier to reflections from a single object. It will be evident that as soon as a reflection passes through the amplifier IIO the blanking circuit takes control and excludes reflections from other objects at the same time cuttingout random peaks due to noise.

The circuit of the tube I I0 differs from that of V the tube 800 and following tubes of similar funcwhich is in turn connected to a flash lamp H5 arranged in position to illuminate a rotatable dial H0. The dial H6 is one of three shown mounted side by side behind separate windows in Fig. 10.

The tubes I I0, II I and H4 and their associated circuits, together with the flash lamp 1 I5 and the scale II6 constitute one of a plurality of registry channels. Another such channel is shown in Fig. 8 comprising tubes 800, IBM and 804, a flash lamp 805 and a scale 806. The scale 806 and a third scale 808 are shown alongside the scale HS in Fig. 10. Additional registry channels may be connected according to the scheme shown but for the sake of clarity in the drawings, only three scales are shown and two registry channels.

The internal connections in the channel shown in Fig. 8 are the same as in the first registry channel, Fig. '7, except that a connection like the lead I22 in Fig. 7 is omitted in Fig. 8 and instead a lead I I 'I connects the right-hand cathode of the tube 800 with the cathode circuit of the tube III in the first channel. A lead 802 corresponds to the lead I I3. A lead 803 interconnects the second channel with the third channel, not shown, in the same way that the lead "1 interconnects the first and second channels.

The automatic gate tube'IflB is connected by a lead H8 with the input circuit of each flashing tube of which the two shown are H4 and 804, a branch lead 'IIS going to the tube Ill and a branch 801 going to the tube 804.

The output of the radio receiver I09 is connected directly to the input of the tube H0 and also through a lead I with the input of the tube 800 and other tubes of similar function to tube 800, not shown.

In the operation of the system of Figs. 7 to 10, inclusive, the radio transmitting system and the tubes I04, 105 and I06 operate the same as the radio transmitting system and the tubes 202, 205 and 208, respectively in Fig. 2. The output of the radio receiver I09 is impressed upon the tubes H0, 800 and others of similar function each associated with one of the dials H6, 806, 808, etc. The tube H0 serves as a two-stage amplifier and will respond to amplify the first pulse which is received. The tube III is actuated by the pulse in the tube M0 to initiate a square wave which serves as ablanking pulse impressed upon the input of the first stage of the tube H0 through the lead H3. The diode H2 serves to provide the proper direct current bias for the application of the blanking pulse to the grid of tube H0. The duration of this blanking pulse is such that the tube H0 is disabled for an interval of a little less than the interval between pulses of the circuit .100 so that the amplifier IIO may be ready to receive a succeeding reflection from the same object. The blanking feature greatly reduces noise interferpotential than when the tube 1 I I is not operating.

tion in having the lead 122 coupling the cathode circuits of the two portions. In the tube 800 the lead I22 is omitted'and the cathode of the second half of the tube is connected through the lead I II to the cathode circuit of the tube 'II I. When the tube III is operating due to the first channel registering a reflection, the point I23 in the cathode circuit of the tube II I, at which point the lead III is connected will be at a more negative The potential of the point I23 is transferred to the right hand-cathode 809 of the tube 800 by the lead 1.", thereby bringing this cathode to an operating potentialwhenever thetube II I ,is operating. When the tube III is not operating, the cathode 800 is at a non-operating potential, 1. e., it is so positive with respect to its control grid that no electrons flow from it.

The lead 803 performs a function similar to that of the lead 'II'I. Thus the right-hand cathode of the first tube in any channel, except the first channel, is biased beyond cut-off unless the preceding channel is operating on a reflection.

The first reflection received will find only the first channel operative and will take over the tube "0 and register on dial H6 in the first window. The mechanism of this response is by way of the connection of the output circuit of H0 to the input circuit of the tube III, permitting the flashing circuit of the tube 'IM to be energized and the tube I I 5 flashed when the dial H6 shows the. correct reading for the first reflection. The next reflection to come in finds the tube "0 inoperative due to the blanking pulse from the rectifier H2 but is able to operate the tube 800. Operation of the tube 800 initiates a pulse in the tube I thereby placing a blanking pulse upon the tube 800 through the lead 802 and an enabling pulse on the following tube through the lead 803. The tube 800 also energizes the flashing tube 800 to flash the lamp 805 at the proper instant when the scale 806 indicates the correct range of the object from which the second reflectiontis received.

A third reflection finds tubes I I0 and 800 both disabled by blanking pulses but is able to operate the third flashing circuit to give a, reading on the dial 808. Other channels that may be added to the chain operate in similar manner. When a second reflection from the first object is received, the blanking pulse on the .tube II 0 will have ended and that tube will-be ready to transmit an impulse to the flashing tube I It as before.

What is claimed is:

1. A range measuring system comprising a slow timing circuit for generating a series of potentials varying cyclically at a relatively slow time rate, a fast timing circuit for generating a similar series of potentials varying cyclically at a relatively fast rate, means to transmit a pulse at the start of each cycle of said fast timing circuit, means to receive reflected pulses from a distant object, an indicator for exhibiting an indication varying cyclically in synchronism with the potential in said 'slow timing circuit, a lamp for illuminating said indicator, a flashing circuit for said 21 lamp, means to match the potentials of said fast and slow timing circuits, means controlled by the matching of said potentials to sensitize said flashing circuit for a predetermined period once during each cycle of said fast timing circuit, and means actuated by said reflected pulses to operate said flashing circuit upon coincidence of the receipt of a reflected pulse with a period of sensitivity of said flashing circuit to illuminate said indicator to show an indication related to the time interval between the transmission of a pulse and the receipt of a reflected pulse.

2. A range measuring system comprising a slow timing circuit for generating a series of potentials varying cyclically at a relatively slow time rate, a range scale and an index therefor, means to vary the relative position of said index along said scale in cyclic manner once during each cycle of said slow timing circuit, a fast timing circuit for generating substantially the same series of potentials as in said slow timing circuit but varying cyclically at a relatively fast time rate, means to transmit pulses coincident with the start of the successive cycles of said fast timing circuit,

means to receive reflected pulses from a distant object, a lamp for stroboscopically illuminating said scale and index, a flashing circuit for said ary reading of the range of the distant object 3. A range measuring system comprising means to transmit a train of recurrent pulses, means to receive reflected pulses from a distant object, a fast timing circuit for generating a succession of potentials recurring cyclically at a relatively fast rate, each cycle commencing with the transmission of a, pulse, said fast timing circuit serving to correlate the potential at each-instant with the elapsed time since the transmission of a' pulse, a slow timing circuit for generating substantially the same succession of potentials recurring cyclically at a relatively slow rate, a range scale and an index therefor, means to vary the relative position of said index along said scale in cyclic manner once during each cycle of said slow timing circuit, said scale and index serving to correlate each value of potential in said slow timing circuit with a, range value for the distant object, a lamp for stroboscopically illuminating said scale and index, a, flashing circuit for said lamp, means to compare the instantaneous potentials of said respective timing circuits, means to sensitize said flashing circuit for a predetermined period immediately following an occurrence of martched potentials, thereby sensitizing said flashing circuit once per cycle of said fast timing circuit when the elapsed time since the transmission of a pulse corresponds to the range valuesimub' ing a period of sensitivity of said flashing circuit,

thereby illuminating said scale andindex when the time elapsed from the transmission of a pulse until the receipt of the reflected pulse corresponds to the range reading indicated by the scale and index at the instant of receipt of the said reflected pulse.

4. A range measuring system compri in means to transmit a train of recurrent pulses, means to receive reflected pulses from a distant object, means synchronized with the transmitted pulses to produce a wave of potential varying cyclically as a-function of time at a relatively fast rate, the instantaneous value of the potential of said wave in any cycle representing the elapsed time since the beginning of the same cycle, means to indicate a succession of readings each representative of a value of elapsed time between the transmission of a pulse and the receipt of the corresponding reflected pulse, said readings varying cyclically as a function of time at a relatively slow rate, auxiliary means conditioned by coincidence of the instantaneous indicated reading with the instantaneous value of potential in the cyclically varying potential wave corresponding to the said indicated reading, and means actuated by said auxiliary means to illuminate said indicating means when the return of a reflected pulse substantially coincides with the correct reading on the indicating means.

5. A time measuring system for recurrent time intervals comprising means to signalize the respective beginnings of said intervals, means to signalize the respective endings of said intervals, means to generate potentials varying cyclically at a relatively fast rate, the instantaneous value of the potential representing the elapsed time since the beginning of the current interval, means to generate potentials varying cyclically at a relatively slow rate, the instantane'ousvalues of which potentials represent timeintervals of different lengths irrespective of the beginning of an interval to be measured, scale means iving an indication varying with the time interval instantaneously represented by the potential of said relatively slowly varying generating means, auxiliary means actuated by a coincidence of potentials bearing a certain relation to each other in said fast and said slowly varying generating means, and means actuated jointly by said auxiliary means and by the said means to signalize the end of said time intervals, whereby to indicate when the said scale means gives a true reading as determined by the length of the time interval being measured.

ALBERT M. sxnmETT.

REFERENCES crrnn f'he following references are of record in the flle of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Hershberger Feb. 6, 1940 

